As Sail Al Kabeer (also written As-Sayl al-Kabir or As-Sail al-Kabeer) is a village in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia, situated along the historical route between Najd and Makkah, in the direction of Taif. It is best known as the location of Miqat Qarn al-Manazil, one of the five designated Ihram boundary points for pilgrims performing Hajj or Umrah. Travelers coming from Taif, or arranging a Makkah–Taif journey that includes a Miqat stop, will pass through or near this area.

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What Is As Sail Al Kabeer?

As-Sayl al-Kabīr is a village in Makkah Region, in western Saudi Arabia, located some distance from the city of Taif. Administratively, it falls under Taif Governorate within Mecca (Makkah) Province.

For most travelers, the name comes up in a religious-travel context rather than as a general tourist destination. That’s because the village shares its location with one of Islam’s designated Miqat points — the place where pilgrims traveling from certain directions are required to enter the state of Ihram before continuing to Makkah.

As Sail Al Kabeer and Miqat Qarn al-Manazil: How the Names Relate

This is where a lot of confusion comes from, so it’s worth explaining clearly:

Qarn al-Manazil is the historical and religious name of the Miqat itself — the specific boundary point designated for pilgrims arriving from Najd and, more broadly, from the eastern and central directions, including those passing through Taif.
As Sail Al Kabeer (As-Sayl al-Kabir) is the name of the village and general area where that Miqat is physically located.

In practice, the two names are used interchangeably in everyday travel conversation and even in official reporting — you’ll see references to “Miqat Al-Sayl Al-Kabeer, also known as Qarn Al-Manazil.” They refer to the same place: a village-and-Miqat location east of Makkah, on the route associated with Taif.

Where Is As Sail Al Kabeer Located?

Distance from Makkah

Published distance figures for As Sail Al Kabeer vary depending on the source and the exact route being measured. Some travel sources describe it as roughly 75–80 km from Makkah; others, measuring along the historical pilgrimage route, describe the village as being located about 94 km northeast of Makkah. Rather than treat any single number as exact, it’s more accurate to say the location sits roughly 75–95 km from Makkah, with the precise figure depending on which road or route is used and where the measurement starts.

Distance from Taif

As Sail Al Kabeer is generally described as being closer to Taif than to Makkah, sitting along the route that descends from the Al-Hada and Al-Shafa mountain peaks toward the lower plains. Some sources place the Miqat at roughly 75 km from Taif city itself, though — as with the Makkah-side figures — this can vary by route.

Administrative Location

Geographically and administratively, As Sail Al Kabeer sits within Makkah Region (Mecca Province), under the jurisdiction of Taif Governorate. The area itself is reported to sit at a notably elevated position — around 1,200 meters above sea level — reflecting its position along the mountainous corridor leading down from the Taif highlands.

The Historical Route Through Al-Hada and Al-Shafa

As Sail Al Kabeer isn’t an isolated point on a map — it’s part of a much older travel corridor. Historically, the route linking Najd and eastern Arabia to Makkah passed through this exact area: starting from the Al-Hada and Al-Shafa mountain peaks near Taif, descending through valley terrain, and opening into flatter plains near the village of As-Sayl. Early Muslim geographers and scholars documented this path as one of the primary routes used by pilgrims heading to Makkah, alongside an alternative route through Aqabat Kara and Arafat.

In recent years, Saudi authorities have upgraded the road infrastructure along this corridor as part of broader efforts to modernize pilgrimage routes, connecting it with newer highways linking Taif, Makkah, and Jeddah. What was once a route through sand and rugged mountain terrain is now a maintained road, while the historical and religious character of the stop itself has been preserved.

What’s at As Sail Al Kabeer Today (the Miqat Mosque and Facilities)

The central facility at the site is the Miqat mosque, which serves as the practical hub for pilgrims entering Ihram. According to reporting on the site’s redevelopment, the mosque was rebuilt in 1982, covers roughly 2,600 square meters, and can accommodate up to around 3,000 worshippers at a time. The facility includes:

Areas for changing into Ihram clothing and washing/cleansing before Niyyah
Air conditioning and lighting
Dedicated traffic lanes and parking, including provision for buses
Pathways designed to manage pilgrim entry and exit, especially during high-traffic pilgrimage periods

Because the Miqat handles significant seasonal volume — particularly around Hajj and Umrah peak periods — the surrounding facilities are specifically designed to help traffic move smoothly rather than to function as a general tourist stop.

Entering Ihram at As Sail Al Kabeer: What Travelers Should Know

As Sail Al Kabeer / Qarn al-Manazil is one of the five Miqat points recognized for pilgrims performing Hajj or Umrah, specifically serving those arriving from the direction of Najd and, commonly, those traveling through or from Taif. Pilgrims using this Miqat are expected to enter the state of Ihram and declare their Niyyah (intention) at this point before continuing toward Makkah.

This guide is written from a transportation and travel-planning perspective, not as a religious authority. For specific questions about Ihram requirements, timing, or how the Miqat applies to your individual journey, it’s best to consult a qualified religious authority or an official Saudi pilgrimage resource before you travel.

Planning a Stop at As Sail Al Kabeer on a Makkah–Taif Journey

For travelers who are already planning a trip between Makkah and Taif – whether for Umrah, a family visit, or a Taif Ziyarat tour — As Sail Al Kabeer often fits naturally into the route, since it sits along the same general corridor connecting the two cities through the Al-Hada and Al-Shafa mountain area.

Because travel time and the exact stopping point can vary with traffic, road conditions, and which route is taken, travelers who want to combine a Miqat stop with the rest of their Makkah–Taif journey generally find it easier to plan this with a private vehicle rather than fixed public transport, simply because a private car or driver can adjust pickup time, stopping duration, and onward route around the traveler’s own schedule.

Travelers who want a private, direct journey between Makkah and Taif – with the flexibility to stop at the Miqat, Al-Hada, or other points along the way – can contact Makkah to Taif Taxi on WhatsApp at +966 57 4915 372 to discuss pickup location, vehicle options, and route planning. The service already covers Miqat Qarn al-Manazil (As-Sail al-Kabir) as one of its regularly requested stops on Makkah to Taif Ziyarat bookings, alongside other historical and mountain-area stops such as Masjid Abdullah ibn Abbas, Masjid Addas, and Al-Hada.

Conclusion

As Sail Al Kabeer is best understood as two closely linked things: a village in Makkah Region on the historical route toward Najd, and — under the name Qarn al-Manazil – one of Islam’s five designated Miqat points for entering Ihram. It sits somewhere in the range of roughly 75–95 km from Makkah, depending on the exact route measured, along the corridor that descends from the Al-Hada and Al-Shafa mountains near Taif. For anyone combining a Miqat stop with a wider Makkah–Taif trip, the practical part – timing, pickup, and route — is usually easiest to arrange through a private vehicle that can adapt to the stop, rather than a fixed shared schedule.

FAQs

Is As Sail Al Kabeer the same place as Qarn al-Manazil?

Yes. As Sail Al Kabeer (As-Sayl al-Kabir) is the name of the village and general area; Qarn al-Manazil is the name of the Miqat located there. They’re used interchangeably in most travel and news references.

How far is As Sail Al Kabeer from Makkah?

Reported figures vary by source and route — commonly cited distances range from roughly 75 km to around 94 km. There isn’t one single official figure that applies to every route, so travel time is a more useful planning measure than an exact kilometer count.

Is As Sail Al Kabeer a Miqat?

Yes. It is one of the five designated Miqat points where certain pilgrims — primarily those arriving from Najd or traveling through Taif — are expected to enter Ihram before continuing to Makkah.

What facilities are available at the As Sail Al Kabeer Miqat?

The Miqat mosque includes areas for changing and washing before Ihram, air conditioning, lighting, and parking/traffic lanes designed to handle pilgrim and bus traffic, especially during Hajj and Umrah seasons.

Can I stop at As Sail Al Kabeer during a Makkah to Taif trip?

Yes, since it sits along the general Makkah–Taif travel corridor. Because timing and stop duration can vary, this is usually easiest to plan with a private vehicle rather than a fixed shared transport schedule.